In the wake of the Clan Invasion piracy became an increasing problem within the operational area covered by the Qanatir MTM. What had been a quiet backwater posting became considerably more active as pirate activity moved away from the invasion corridor and the Qanatir MTM found itself trying to cover the region left unguarded after the Neerabup MTM was destroyed during the invasion. A particular problem for the Qanatir MTM, stretched as they were across a band of worlds from Main Street to Krung Thep, were the activities of the pirate band known as Morrison's Extractors. ColonelWoody Lounsbury of the Qanatir MTM found himself acting at a command level considerably higher than normal for a March Militia command, in a post more akin to the former regional commander post of the Qanatir Command. Colonel Lounsbury had to work closely with Colonel Mark Polk of the rebuilding Neerabup MTM and PrecentorRichard Pettigrew of the Com Guard214th Division to co-ordinate efforts throughout the theater.[1]

The Qanatir MTM spent a considerable amount of time during the FedCom Civil War trying to run down a mysterious band of raiders who struck at several worlds across the Theatre. Although the identity of the raiders is unknown, they handily defeated the Qanatir MTM when the Militia finally ran them to ground, and the Militia became convinced that the raiders were a Clan force, probably from Clan Goliath Scorpion.[2]

In or around 3079 the mercenary unit the Hexare Grenadiers uncovered a Word of BlakeLevel II on the former Rim Worlds Republic world of Oporto. The Grenadiers called in the assistance of the Qanatir MTM, and the two units worked together to destroy the Blakists.[3] The Qanatir MTM subsequently contributed a full battalion - the same battalion that had helped destroy the Level II on Oporto - to the rebuilding 3rd Royal Guards, something that caused a certain amount of resentment amongst the long-term members of the Royal Guards.[3][4]

The Qanatir MTM subsequently helped contribute towards the rebuilding of other militia units within the Melissa Theatre; the Neerabup MTM was increased in strength from a bare company to a full battalion using forces from the Qanatir MTM, while the Chahar MTM was brought back from the rolls of dead units using Qanatir MTM troops followed by new recruits and other transferees.[5]

By 3082 the Qanatir MTM had been redeployed to Kwangjong-ni to defend the Defiance Industries plant located there. This proved fortuitous when a pirate band landed on Kwangjong-ni in 3082, attempting to raid the plant. The Qanatir MTM promptly destroyed the pirate's DropShip, leaving them stranded on Kwangjong-ni; after three weeks of wandering around the planet finding nothing but small communities and wilderness, the pirates surrendered en masse without ever having found the Defiance plant.[5]

The various combat actions of the Dark Age reduced the Qanatir MTM's BattleMech complement to less than a battalion. As a result they learned to make extensive use of conventional infantry and artillery.[6]

- At this point the Qanatir MTM had rebuilt to 75% of full strength despite transferring troops to two other Melissa Theatre Militias, and 75% of the equipment used by the militia featured upgraded technology.